When we are born, the deoxyribonucleic acid/DNA in our bodies
contains the blueprints for who we are and instructions for who we will
become. For example, it can tell our eyes to eventually turn from blue
at birth to hazel later on, our length to grow from 20 inches to 70 and
direct a multitude of other changes over the course of our lives.

Many people have mistakenly believed that the DNA with which we are
born is the sole determinant for who we are and will become, but
scientists have understood for decades that this genetic determinism is a flawed theory.

Epigenetics and Beyond

The field of epigenetics refers to
the science that studies how the development, functioning and evolution
of biological systems are influenced by forces operating outside the DNA
sequence, including intracellular, environmental and energetic
influences.

Since the 1950s scientists have accepted that epigenetic influence is critical in our development. Epi – Greek for "besides" – combines with the word, genetics,
to essentially mean "something more than genetics." That "something
more" is widely held today to refer to our environment – thus meaning
that our genetic code and the environment in which we develop determine
who and what we are.

Researchers have shown through studies that epigenetics entails even
more than DNA and the places where we live, the climate around us and
all the twists, turns and hard knocks of our lives.

HeartMath deems integral elements of the model for who we are and
what we can be are the thoughts, feelings and intentions we have every
day. After two decades of studies, HeartMath researchers say other
factors such as the appreciation and love we have for someone or the
anger and anxiety we feel also influence and can alter the outcomes of
each individual’s DNA blueprint.

"The difference between these two is significant because this
fundamental belief called genetic determinism literally means that our
lives, which are defined as our physical, physiological and emotional
behavioral traits, are controlled by the genetic code," Lipton said in
an interview with the online magazine, Superconsciousness.
"This kind of belief system provides a visual picture of people being
victims: If the genes control our life function, then our lives are
being controlled by things outside of our ability to change them. This
leads to victimization that the illnesses and diseases that run in
families are propagated through the passing of genes associated with
those attributes. Laboratory evidence shows this is not true."

A Steady Diet of Quantum Nutrients

"When we have negative emotions such as anger, anxiety and dislike
or hate, or think negative thoughts such as ‘I hate my job,’ ‘I don’t
like so and so’ or ‘Who does he think he is?’, we experience stress and
our energy reserves are redirected," an article on IHM’s website
explains. This causes a portion of our energy reserves, which otherwise
would be put to work maintaining, repairing and regenerating our complex
biological systems, to instead confront the stresses these negative
thoughts and feelings create.

"In contrast," the article continues, "when we activate the power of
our hearts’ commitment and intentionally have sincere feelings such as
appreciation, care and love, we allow our hearts’ electrical energy to
work for us. Consciously choosing a core heart feeling over a negative
one means instead of the drain and damage stress causes to our bodies’
systems, we are renewed mentally, physically and emotionally. The more
we do this the better we’re able to ward off stress and energy drains in
the future. Heartfelt positive feelings fortify our energy systems and
nourish the body at the cellular level. At HeartMath we call these
emotions quantum nutrients."

In simple terms most people can relate to, what this means is that
when we are having a bad day, going through a rough period such as
dealing with the sickness of a loved one or coping with financial
troubles, we can actually influence our bodies – all the way down to the
cellular level – by intentionally thinking positive thoughts and
focusing on positive emotions.

Changing DNA Through Intention

The power of intentional thoughts and emotions goes beyond theory at
the Institute of HeartMath. In a study, researchers have tested this
idea and proven its veracity.

HeartMath researchers have gone so far as to show that physical
aspects of DNA strands could be influenced by human intention. The
article, Modulation of DNA Conformation by Heart-Focused Intention –
McCraty, Atkinson, Tomasino, 2003 – describes experiments that achieved
such results.

For example, an individual holding three DNA samples was directed to generate heart coherence – a beneficial state of mental, emotional and physical balance and
harmony – with the aid of a HeartMath technique that utilizes heart
breathing and intentional positive emotions. The individual succeeded,
as instructed, to intentionally and simultaniously unwind two of the DNA
samples to different extents and leave the third unchanged.

"The results provide experimental evidence to support the hypothesis
that aspects of the DNA molecule can be altered through
intentionality," the article states. "The data indicate that when
individuals are in a heart-focused, loving state and in a more coherent
mode of physiological functioning, they have a greater ability to alter
the conformation of DNA.

"Individuals capable of generating high ratios of heart coherence
were able to alter DNA conformation according to their intention. …
Control group participants showed low ratios of heart coherence and were
unable to intentionally alter the conformation of DNA."

Heart Intelligence, the Unifying Factor

The influence or control individuals can have on their DNA – who and
what they are and will become – is further illuminated in HeartMath
founder Doc Childre’s theory of heart intelligence.
Childre postulates that "an energetic connection or coupling of
information" occurs between the DNA in cells and higher dimensional
structures – the higher self or spirit.

Childre further postulates, according to the Modulation of DNA article, "The heart serves as a key access point through which
information originating in the higher dimensional structures is coupled
into the physical human system (including DNA), and that states of heart
coherence generated through experiencing heartfelt positive emotions
increase this coupling."

The heart, which generates a much stronger electromagnetic field than
the brain’s, provides the energetic field that binds together the
higher dimensional structures and the body’s many systems as well as its
DNA.

Childre’s theory of heart intelligence proposes that "individuals
who are able to maintain states of heart coherence have increased
coupling to the higher dimensional structures and would thus be more
able to produce changes in the DNA."